McREL - The Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Classroom Instruction That Works with English Language Learners The Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition- Anyone who has been around children who are learning to talk knows that the process happens in stages—first understanding, then one-word utterances, then two-word phrases, and so on. Students learning a second language move through five predictable stages: Preproduction Early Production Speech Emergence Intermediate Fluency Advanced Fluency How quickly students progress through the stages depends on many factors, including level of formal education, family background, and length of time spent in the country. It is important that you tie instruction for each student to his or her particular stage of language acquisition. Knowing this information about each student allows you to work within his or her zone of proximal development—that gap between what students can do on their own and what they can with the help of more knowledgeable individuals (Vygotsky, 1978). About Jane Hill- As a McREL's Managing Consultant For English Language Learner Effectiveness, Jane Hill consults and trains teachers and administrators nationally and internationally. She collaborates with state departments of education to offer a long‐term professional development program for instructional leadership teams interested in leading reform efforts related to English language learners. Before joining McREL, she worked for 29 years as a speech/language specialist in the areas of bilingual special education and language acquisition. She is a coauthor of the first edition of Classroom Instruction That Works for English Language Learners. Jane can be reached at jhill@ mcrel.org. Visit our website: http://www.mcrel.org/products-and-services/products/product-listing/100_199/product-117
McREL - The Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Importance of Teaching Academic Language
The transcript emphasizes the importance of teaching not only content but also the academic language of the content to benefit English language learners.
Teaching Content and Academic Language
- It is crucial for all educators to teach both content and the academic language associated with it.
- This approach greatly benefits English language learners in their language acquisition journey.
Understanding Second Language Acquisition Stages
The transcript highlights the significance of understanding the stages of second language acquisition, particularly in relation to the zone of proximal development.
Zone of Proximal Development and Second Language Acquisition
- Familiarity with the stages of second language acquisition helps identify where students are and what they are capable of achieving with guidance from a knowledgeable other.
- By knowing the stage of an English language learner's acquisition, educators can provide appropriate support to help them progress to the next stage.
- There are five stages in second language acquisition, and it is essential not to let English language learners remain stuck at any particular stage.
Exploring the Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition
The transcript introduces and explores the five stages of second language acquisition by drawing parallels with first language acquisition.
Tying Second Language Acquisition to First Language Acquisition
- To introduce the concept effectively, it is helpful to connect second language acquisition stages with familiar experiences from first language acquisition.
- Similarities can be observed between certain milestones in both processes.
Preproduction Stage
- Comparable to when children understand but have limited verbal output around nine months old.
Early Production Stage
- Similar to when children start speaking single words around 12 to 14 months old.
Speech Emergence Stage
- Corresponding to when children begin putting words together into sentences, even with grammatical errors.
Intermediate Stage
- Reflective of the phase when children construct multiple sentences.
Advanced Fluency Stage
- The final stage where English language learners demonstrate fluency comparable to native speakers.
Conclusion
The transcript emphasizes the importance of teaching academic language alongside content to support English language learners. Understanding the stages of second language acquisition is crucial for educators to provide appropriate guidance and ensure progress. By drawing parallels with first language acquisition, the five stages of second language acquisition are explored, highlighting similarities and milestones along the way.